16-year-old student who died after 2.4km run in school had 'keeled over and hit his head on ground'

The 16-year-old student who died after finishing a 2.4km run in Chong Boon Secondary School yesterday (Aug 1) has been identified a Benjamin Sim Wen Ming.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the incident at 8.15am and conveyed a 16-year-old Chinese male to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), a spokesman told Stomp in response to queries.

He was pronounced dead at 11.44am.

Police are investigating the unnatural death.

Stomp understands that the Secondary 4 student had just completed the run around his school during a Physical Education (PE) lesson when he collapsed.

Benjamin, who had been a volleyball player on the school team for four years, had keeled over and hit his head on the ground outside the school foyer, reported The Straits Times.

The victim's father, 55-year-old pastor Davy Sim, said: "We are still in a state of shock, but we have accepted it. We will leave it to the school to investigate what happened. I believe they have done their best."

He had also written on Facebook, "Thank God who promoted my son, Benjamin Sim, like a whirlwind, as after he finished his running test this morning, he collapsed, & went to be with the Lord!"

A Sec 4 student at Chong Boon Secondary, who declined to be named, told ST that it was common for students to do the 2.4km run about once a week during PE lessons, and that the school had cancelled some PE classes after the incident.

Chong Boon Secondary School principal Yeo Kuerk Heng said: "Benjamin was well regarded and popular among his peers, and was especially known for his cheerful and friendly disposition.

"He participated actively both in class and in sports. He was also good in English and helped his friends who are weaker in the subject.

"As the case is under police investigation, we are unable to comment further."